Now perhaps you're spending more time on your job search than that, but chances are you are NOT working as hard at looking for a job as you did when you actually had a job. But now is not the time to slack off. Instead, you should be putting in at least six hours a day working on your job search, not 18 minutes.
The other two or more hours each day should be devoted to getting physically fit (almost everyone needs to) and buffing up your career skills by taking a class, getting a certification, or teaching yourself something like social media (easily obtained for free from online sources).
Here are just a few suggestions that will fill up six hours a day...and get you much closer to your goal of finding a great job.
- Perfect your cover letter.
- Perfect your resume...and make several versions to address any potential job you qualify for. Make sure it focuses on what you can do to help a future employer.
- If you haven't already, start a Linkedin account and build your professional career network. If you have a Linkedin account, work it...add contacts, reach out to your contacts, answer questions to demonstrate expertise, get recommendations and join/participate in groups. Make sure your profile is 100% and you photo is professional. Most recruiters and hiring authorities now check Linkedin for professional and "white-collar" jobs. You must be there.
- Reach out to all your friends and family...they are a surprisingly large source of job opportunities.
- Evaluate your Facebook presence and make sure it reflects well upon you.
- Learn social media and use it. You're not considered current unless you do. Get familiar with Twitter, Flickr, Stumbleupon, Facebook, Linkedin. Twitter and Facebook account for more than half of all jobs.
- Practice answering possible interview questions...over and over. Practice the art of active listening too.
- During the first seconds after meeting a person you can either be Liked or Unliked...first impressions count. Practice making a good entrance, a firm handshake, a winning smile and eye contact. As they say, you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
- Practice visualizing exactly what you want...it works. In scientific studies, Dr. Lynn Joseph found that job-seekers who visualized outcomes got better jobs and they got them quicker.
- Set up a job plan and keep it all in a binder. Track the companies you contact, what you sent, followup, results. Add articles you find online or in magazines about career management. Search out books on job-hunting. Keep notes in your binder.
- Do something to get a job EVERY day. You've got to keep you head in the game.
- Research the companies at which you have interviews. Know them as well as a long-time employee. And research their competition. Find out what you specifically can do to help them.
- Be proactive. Just don't send out resumes answering job bank listings or Craigslist ads and see them disappear into the black hole of HR. Determine which companies you would like to work for and contact those...whether they have a job listed or not. Call someone in a position of authority...most people are happy to speak with you...and they can tell you if the company is hiring or direct you to someone who may know.
- Attend conferences, trade shows and industry events. But avoid "job networking" events...they can't get you a job and may be depressing.
- Find a couple of great recruiters. These folks can be an amazing resource in your professional job search.
- Have lunch with a former colleague or boss...or with a friend. Get out and be seen.
- Take time to catch up on reading, turn a hobby into a second revenue source, lose some weight or exercise and get fit, spend time with your family, do some repairs around the house, or take a vacation.
- If you can afford it, get a professional makeover...new wardrobe, stylish haircut, maybe a little nip and tuck.
- Now is a good time to give up a bad habit...like watching too much TV, smoking (your chance of being hired decreases by 20% if you smoke), or too much drinking.
- Brush up on your "people" skills. People hire people they think they will like working with...so your personality is as important as your skills and experience.
- Be like an athlete in training...keep moving forward.
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